Oakland Raiders: Dream On, Challenge the Steelers and Packers in the Future

My daily routine includes researching NFL data and writing an article if the inspiration hits me.

This morning I had to write because I realize that some of us are destined to reflect on what is and what can be in our lives and in the lives of the Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation.

As I witnessed the unrest in Cairo, Egypt, and remembered when I visited there while ago as part of President Bill Clinton's entourage in August 2000, I realize how our love for the NFL and sports help relieve the tension of the times we are living in.

We carry the name Raider Nation with pride. It symbolizes a micro-America with much diversity, passion, inventiveness and innovation. We can be inventive, scary, strong, screwd, scholarly, shocking and even sober. One thing is certain: We believe in a commitment to excellence.

That is, indeed, a high call.

Let's dream on and think about the shocking outcomes of the games to be played in 2011. We believe that the Oakland Raiders are going to scare their most "formidable" opponents. Actually, no opponent strikes fear in the Oakland Raiders, but the media usually has another slant on this issue.

Let's talk, for example, about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A global comparison is presented to help us gain focus on who we are and where we are headed. Let's dream on, and then wake up to experience a victorious future.

Here is a partial list of NFL data on the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders. It is a record of wins for each team for the seasons spanning 1990 to 2010.

Steelers	Raiders
9	12	3	excellent
7	9	2	excellent
11	7	-4	poor
9	10	1	excellent
12	9	-3	fair
11	8	-3	fair
10	7	-3	fair
11	4	-7	poor
7	8	1	excellent
6	8	2	excellent
9	12	3	excellent
13	10	-3	fair
10	11	1	excellent
6	4	-2	fair
15	5	-10	poor
11	4	-7	poor
8	2	-6	poor
10	4	-6	poor
12	5	-7	poor
9	5	-5	poor
12	8	-4	poor

Criteria have been established by this B/R writer. If the number in the third column is positive, then it is tagged "excellent" for the Oakland Raiders. If the number is negative, then either good, fair or poor is used.

Note that there has been a steady increase in the performance of the Oakland Raiders since 2007 when compared to the Steelers.

As we dream on, we in the Raider Nation know that the Oakland Raiders are capable of defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, if a Steelers fan is reading this "dream on" article, just remember the Oakland Raiders shocked the Steelers at least one time in 2010. The Raiders expect to shock the Steelers again in 2011, whether they win the Super Bowl on Feb. 6 or not.

For that matter, if the Green Bay Packers win, the same challenge is set forth. The gauntlet has been dropped. Let the games begin because the Oakland Raiders are preparing to win.

Go Raiders!

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/590212-oakland-raiders-dream-on-challenge-the-steelers-and-packers-in-the-future

Kerry Wood Francisco Cervelli Chad Moeller Jorge Posada Lance Berkman Reegie Corona